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Who is your overall favorite guitarist?

At 44 years of age, I personally feel fortunate to have lived in an era along with some of the finest guitarists who have ever lived. I have always had an overwhelming love of music. As I look back to my earlier years of music appreciation (I took formal piano training for 17 years) I remember how my instructor would suggest exposing myself to the many different styles and disciplines of music.

These were such valuable words of wisdom. Considering the fact that this suggestion, more or less, forced me to be more open to musicians other than those that played in strictly rock and roll bands.

Wow, was I surprised to find that I could be as entertained by Chet Atkins and Les Paul as I could be by Ritchie Blackmore or Carlos Santana. Just think about some of the finest from our time. Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, the list could seem almost endless. All such incredible musicians.

Although it's very hard to pick one person or style in particular, let's remember the key words, "overall favorite".
I would probably have to say that my overall favorite would have to be Steve Morse (from Dixie Dregs fame).

Who is your favorite?
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mrmitch
359 posts
 
Impossible to pick just one due to so many different styles and originality: Jeff Beck, SRV, John Renbourn,Steve Hackett (not only with Genesis but solo and classical, listen to A Midsummer Night's Dream), John Mayer as an up and comer, Alex Lifeson (not just for solos but his chord comping),Joe Pass.
sit
315 posts
 
PHIL KEAGGY!!! Phil is not my favorite but he is the best I have ever seen. I grew up in Youngstown, OH, where Phil came onto the scene with his band GLASS HARP. My then girlfriend's best friend's brother was the Glass Harp base player (John Sfarra). I have seen Phil play on stage (from Idora Park to a concert in NYC years later), in wonderful Millcreek Park in the woods and at the Flats, at parties. At age 14 I played harmonica along side him in the park (he does not know this). I have also seen and been with many, many other musicians [Joe Walsh and the James Gang at Kent State, with BB King on one of his prison tours while I was in grad school, learned even more about playing the harp from living next door to John Mayall in Laural Canyon (CA)in early 70's, Rick Derringer, Tom Petty, on tour with Todd Rundgren, on tour with the Outlaws (dual guitar band from Georgia}, and was priviliged to be helping (at age 17)on stage when Led Zeppelin introed their 3d lp at the Forum in LA (where I thought Jimmy Page was going to create a riot due to his extensive use of acoustic guitar --vs hardass rock electric-- during the show.)] Lots of bragging thank you, only to illustrate I have qualification for my choice of Phil.

I still have never seen anyone play like Phil except somewhat close was a friend and an unknown guitarist from Youngstown named Ron Rupp who was also into religion.

Phil truly can play it all and has a sound that is so unique that I only wish more people could hear it. Phil has stayed true to his beliefs. It's the only reason more people don't know more about him. Stardom seems not to be his thing.

Keep on Phil. Keep on.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Allan Holdsworth
seric56
12 posts
 
Jimi, One of the very few Artists; Guitarist or otherwise, who profoundly changed the war any anyone who followed played, and I really like most of players listed, but for me it was Jimi Hendrix who got under everybody's skin...especially mine.

sing brother, play on drummer...

Happy New year!!!
bojack
652 posts
 
Lifeson, Earl Slick, Knopfler, and Chet Atkins -- all incredible.
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